Complaint Review: The Laminate Store

We purchased laminate flooring from The Laminate Store's, representative Paul Mason on 7/23/05. Paul Mason did the measurements and ordered all the materials.
We were quoted $1.59 sq/foot for installation and $2450.29 for materials.

There was excessive material left over from the job. We were charged $2.09 sq/foot for the largest part of the installation with the installers telling us that Paul was new and didn't know that diagonal installation was 50 cents sq/foot more. I accepted that although I didn't think it fair.

I called their 1-866 number to ask about returns and was told to take them to the store with my receipt for a refund. I expected to receive a $212 refund. No mention of any requirements was stated.

After a 50 mile drive, the store clerk said there would be a 25% restocking fee. I disagreed being that their salesman did the measurements and that there was material sold to us that wasn't even required for the installation.

The manager, David Brazil, stepped in to assist. David stated that we were responsible for the measurements and that any returns would be charged a 25% restocking fee and that the $200 coupon used a time of purchase would be taken back also.

This brought the value of the returned items down to $3.00.

I attempted to reason with David to no avail.

He told me to read my contract.

I did, Paragraph 9 states that "all orders are based on an estimate by a company representative for the estimate of materials needed" " If excess material is left after the job is completed, the customer may return it to The Laminate Store in unopen carton, with 25% restocking charge."

"Note: the Laminate Store will accept up to 10% excess material returned without a restocking charge." There was no mention of invalidating the coupon.
We were trying to return 1 roll of Silencer underlayment of 7 purchased (14%), 8 molding tracks 8mm (100%), none required for the job, and 7 of 22 quarter round- colored ( 32% excess).

I feel that the errors are The Laminate Stores responsibility and that they should make restitution.
However, that is not happening. Think twice about this company.

Jim
Winter Haven, Florida
U.S.A.